Photos from my River Cruise Along the Seine

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Wendy Perrin is testing out river cruises in Europe. She sends us back some photos of her cruise ships and cruise stops in Normandy so far.

Greetings from Europe. I’ve been here since April 1, sleuthing out the differences among small river cruise ships, and the waterways they ply, for an upcoming article in Condé Nast Traveler. I’ve been on three rivers—the Seine in France, the Rhine in Germany, and the Danube in Austria. You’ll be able to read my findings in our August 2012 issue, but for now I thought I’d share some informal pics I’ve been snapping. First up: My journey onboard the M/S Bizet, sailing on the Seine through Normandy, from Conflans to Rouen:

Le Vieux Moulin (“the old mill”) sits on the Seine at the town of Vernon, which is “the gateway to Normandy.”

Monet’s Japanese Garden at Giverny. I didn’t observe quite as many water lilies as he did.

At Giverny we found seven-year-olds on a school field trip painting the flowers they saw in the gardens. Here you see the results.

The wheelhouse of the M/S Bizet.

Chateau de La Roche-Guyon—a castle and fortress we passed soon before arriving in Vernon.

The Avalon Creativity parked next to us in Vernon. Here it’s starting to pull away and float down the Seine.

Captain Alain Jolly of the M/S Bizet steers us in front of Chateau Gaillard, which sits on the Seine above the town of Les Andalys. Our trusty captain had a twinkle in his eye…and insisted on speaking with me only in French. I loved that!

We hiked up to Chateau Gaillard. Here’s what it looks like from the back.

The view from Chateau Gaillard of the M/S Bizet docked in the town of Les Andalys.

Here’s another angle on the Seine, as viewed from Chateau Gaillard.

The M/S Bizet docked in Les Andalys.

The main street through Les Andalys.

Les Andalys is full of picturesque Norman houses.

More pretty houses in Les Andalys, Normandy.

We visited Les Andalys a few days before Easter. Note the Easter eggs in the window box.

A close-up of the Easter eggs in the window box.

Captain Alain Jolly supervising as the M/S Bizet pulls away from the dock at Les Andalys.